OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News December 25-31, 2025
The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of the latest restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #iykyk
🕘 12.5 min read
Reminiscent of last week’s insane activity, this week’s edition features 21 openings, half that in closures. Not surprising, but still a staggering report. Psst. Want to know what’s on tap for Q1 and beyond, what to watch for, and what to focus on? Get in touch.
p.s. Reminder: Many businesses will be closed over the holidays, some extending closure for revamps and renos (a record number, in fact), so be sure to check operating hours. Happy Holidays.
NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.
Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? Keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start), listen to THE TIP OFF, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips + the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less on the new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates, and subscribe to the TR Newsletter.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Pizza, cake and other sweet stuff are at the heart of Midtown’s Amico Bakery (2013 Yonge St.). The space at Yonge and Davisville was a Slayer Burger until last spring,
Calling all motorcycle enthusiasts: Discover Stouffville’s Back Alley Moto Cafe tucked behind Elm Street Italian Deli’s new location in Leslieville. TR Tracker: What is it with Leslieville and motorcycle cafes?
If you love furniture shopping, interior design and cafe lounging, Central Design Market & Cafe (252 Adelaide St. E.) in Old Town is for you. Bonus: The building will speak to your love of aesthetics with its historic bones. See: The Bank of Upper Canada, completed in 1827.
Cozy Cue Sports Bar in Mississauga (4500 Dixie Rd., Unit 11A-1) is the spot for billiards, bevvies, and pub-style grub (e.g. Mozza sticks, grilled chicken tacos, wings, pizza, burgers).
Viet fare is taking over the city and Cuon Cuon (140 The Esplanade) is on it with a range of fresh rolls and bowls.
Danforth Hotel (163 Danforth Ave.) lands in the six with just four suites, brought to you by - and situated next door to - The Danforth Music Hall.
Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen - home of mezze, mixed grill, shakshuka, fukhara (clay pot stews), sawani (oven-baked casseroles), and more - adds to its growing portfolio (Leaside, Roncy) with a setup at Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.).
Eggstatic has moved into Greenwin Square Mall at Bloor and Sherbourne (365 Bloor St. E.) with its signature brekkie and brunch selections. Grand opening is December 27-28.* TR Memory Lane: Hands up if you remember when it was another egg-centric joint, Eggspectation, or the time when Swiss Chalet reigned? [*UPDATE 07.01.26: Grand opening has been rescheduled to January 17-18.]
The sub sandwich craze continues as American chain Firehouse Subs touches down on the Danforth east of Broadview (243 Danforth Ave.).
There’s a new halal steakhouse in town, and it’s part of a popular and growing destination in Mississauga. Introducing: Garage Steakhouse & Grill at Ridgeway Plaza (3535 Odyssey Dr., Unit 83).
Gerrard India Bazaar’s Hakka Flame (1433 Gerrard St. E.) shuttered as of mid-2025, however I’m pleased to report grand (re)opening, complete with stellar deal: 30 per cent off every items and complimentary dessert. Offer good until January 15. Did you know? According to Gerrard India Bazaar, the nabe is “North America's Largest South Asian Marketplace.”
Thrifting in the east end?* Stop by Hume in Riverside (782 Queen St. E.) offering Anatolian-inspired Mediterranean cuisine in a welcoming environment. where Kismet Turkish Restaurant was until recently. *The strip of Queen between Broadview and Pape is chockablock with vintage shops.
Last month I gave you the inside track on Etobicoke’s Novõ Restaurant (664 The Queensway). Doors open Saturday. What’s for dinner? While pizza and pasta make their presence known, finer fare including Black Cod, Lamb Chops, Wagyu Burger, and Rib Eye, take the stage.
In addition to coffee and other sippers, find an array of sandwiches and baked goods at Greektown’s new One Gram by Primo (466 Danforth Ave.).
Indian fusion eatery Shakechilys isn’t officially opening at Dundas and Sherbourne (268 Dundas St. E.) until February 1, but you can get in on the action early with BOGO offers on UberEats. The menu ranges from Mexican Greek Fusion Bowl and Butter Masala Fries to breakfast items. The former occupant also offered a medley of flavours.
Roncy has always been stacked with great food options from restaurants and bars to food shops, delis and green grocers. One more joins the strip Meet Shangri-La Fruit Market (147 Roncesvalles Ave.) about halfway between Dundas and Queen.
South India Street Bites said so long to their Scarborough outpost recently, but another was always in the works. Luckily it wasn’t a long wait. SISB welcomed guests Friday at Brimley and Sheppard (4401 Sheppard Ave. E.).
Spice Club Indian Cuisine has softly opened its second site in Scarborough (18 Lebovic Ave.) for Indian and Hakka grub.
Biryani, butter chicken and its namesake dish are just part of the offerings at Etobicoke’s Tandoori Haven (2644 Islington Ave.).
Unavu’s doing authentic Tamil street food in Scarborough at Finch and Neilson (5745 Finch Ave. E.).
Yak & Yeti Restaurant & Bar kicks off on Christmas Eve followed by celebrations on New Years Eve.. Find their authentic Nepali fare in a plaza in Markham/Thornhill (180 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 20A).
CLOSED
Since 1995, Alli Millar has sold her sweet treats and baked goods (those cinnamon buns!) every Saturday at the St. Lawrence Market Farmers’ Market (92-95 Front St. E., North Market). Final day of Alli's Fresh Baked was Saturday.
Family-owned Greek bakery Athens Pastries (509 Danforth Ave), in operation since 1978, is temporarily closed as they have been been forced to relocate their factory in Scarborough (2567 Victoria Park Ave.) “due to the construction of the new Ontario Line.
That’s a wrap for A1 Cuisines in Vaughan (180 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 20A).
Wellness cafe and resto BetterBar entered the Yorkville scene via Yorkville Village (87 Avenue Rd., Upper Level) with a bang last winter.
Chester Variety (410 Danforth Ave.) was a fixture in Greektown for decades. It’s about to be replaced by Sunny Convenience.
Cumberland Terrace (82 0 Yonge St.), a mall offering a strange mix of retail, services and food since 1976, has come to an end. Fortunately, Esther Queen of Soups by Esther Joseph, running since 2001, is still in effect.
In 2021, Isaan Der moved to Queen and Broadview, taking over Ruby Watchco’s former stomping grounds (730 Queen St. E.). New Year’s Eve is the last day to visit them in the east end, then they’re back on the move. Next stop: Chinatown (327 Spadina Ave.) where Chine Legendary Hot Pot & BBQ held it down until earlier this year. Other locations include The Junction - the OG - and Richmond Hill. The one in Midtown shuttered in 2022.
December 31st is the final day for La Piscina (1615 Dundas St. W.). Stay tuned: Bad Angel Bar is slated to take over next month.
Le Pearl Coffee & Banh Mi (15 Toronto St., GF1) is a fairly recent addition.
Chef Marc Thuet’s eponymous Petit Thuet, currently at 235 Carlaw Ave. is winding things up at this location, moving down the block closer to Queen (181A Carlaw Ave.). In the meantime, bread and pastry pickups are still available at 235 (head down the alley and up the stairs on the right.) or visit the long-running shop and cafe in Rosedale (1162 Yonge St.).
As I reported last week, you’ve got until Wednesday to get in your goodbyes at 1756 Dundas inside Sounds Good (1756 Dundas St. W.).
NEWS
Following the addition of ‘Keys’, Michelin Guide has unleashed the ‘Michelin Grape’ for wine producers and estates. Will any of Canada’s make the cut? Stay tuned.
Latest food recalls: Various pistachios and pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella, Veggie Paradise Vegan Bacon Slice recalled due to undeclared wheat.
ICYMI
TR Pro Tip: It’s never too late. Cookbooks from top Toronto chefs and restaurants make fab gifts for the food-lovers in your life.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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